The High Court in Gauteng sentenced a 41-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of a North-West University Student on Monday
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane says Tinyiko Baloyi was charged with murder and kidnapping for his role in the abduction and burning of Karabo Maluleke (21) in May last year.
She says Baloyi kidnapped Maluleke from the university's North-West campus after suspecting that she was in a relationship and held her captive at a guest house in Roodepoort.
Days later she was reported missing.
Baloyi drove Maluleke to an open field in Doornkop where he tied both her hands and feet, poured petrol over her, and set her alight.
Her charred body was discovered five days later.
Warrant Officer Rabed Zwana, who traced the accused's movements, discovered he had rented a car to fetch Maluleke from Potchefstroom to the guesthouse. After killing her, he returned the vehicle to the rental company.
"In his attempt to leave town, he exchanged his phone for money at a taxi rank before fleeing to his home in Giyani, where he was eventually apprehended," says Mjonondwane.
In court, Baloy apologised to his victim's family.
In an impact statement made by the mother of the victim, Khensane Maluleke described the harrowing circumstances surrounding her daughter's brutal murder.
She testified that the tragic loss had a profound impact on their entire family and added that she eagerly anticipated her daughter’s academic success which would transform their family’s circumstances and improve their lives.
